Tmatboey is an isolated village located in Kulen Promtep Wildlife Sanctuary in the Northern Plains of Cambodia. It is the site of a unique community ecotourism project established by the Ministry of Environment and the Wildlife Conservation Society’s Cambodia Program. Access to the remote site is coordinated exclusively through SVC.

The Tmatboey Ibis Project aims to directly link bird-watching tourism, bird conservation and community development. The site supports globally important breeding populations of two Critically Endangered Ibis species: the Giant Ibis – a near-mythical species for all bird-watchers, naturalists and conservationists – and the White-shouldered Ibis, in the only known nesting site for this species.

Groups that successfully see the ibises are asked to make a donation to a ‘village conservation fund’. The fund is used for infrastructure improvements and other development projects as part of the agreement with WCS to conserve wildlife and maintain natural habitats.

Visitors walk through a rich eco-system of open woodlands, seasonally-inundated grasslands, deciduous dipterocarp forest and scattered wetlands. This landscape supports an unparalleled assemblage of threatened bird and mammal species and perhaps the richest remaining example of the characteristic deciduous dipterocarp forest.

A typical trip to Tmatboey takes 4 days and 3 nights. The best time to see the White-shouldered Ibis is January to March, and the Giant Ibis January to April.

Originating as a man-made irrigation and water storage reservoir built in 1976 on the historical Angkorian Highway, the reservoir now harbors a unique wetland associated with grassland, dipterocarp forests and paddy fields.

Aside from being a staging ground for more than 300 Sarus Crane in the dry (non-breeding) season, more than 200 species of other birds occur here, of which 18 have been classified as Globally Threatened or Globally Near-Threatened. This is also one of the handful of sites in Cambodia where the endangered Eld’s Deer can be seen.

The best time to see the Sarus Crane is February to May. ATT is usually a day-trip from Siem Reap but an overnight stay can be arranged.

Designated Integrated Farming and Biodiversity Areas, the seasonally flooded grasslands of Kompong Thom and Siem Reap harbor the largest known population of Bengal Florican in Cambodia (and likely the world). There are several sites we visit that comprise important non-breeding grounds for many large water birds, such as the Greater Adjutant, Painted Stork, and Sarus Crane. Also found in this area is potentially the largest single concentration of over wintering Manchurian Reed Warblers.

The grasslands are a day-trip from Siem Reap, or can be seen as a half-day stop on the way to Tmatboey.

The best time of year to see the Bengal Florican is mid-January to May.

Check SVC Calendar for current trips or groups looking for more participants.